Latinos have a rich tradition when it comes to musical storytelling, melodic social commentary and protest songs. Nueva Cancion is one of the most recognizable examples: The folk-inspired and socially committed music shone a light through the dark, brutal Latin American '60s and '70s, during which much of the continent (and Spain) gasped for air in the grips of repressive dictatorships. Artists such as Ruben Blades, Silvio Rodriguez, Victor Jara, Chico Buarque and Mercedes Sosa gave voice and music to the oppressed. Many of them paid with exile (Buarque and Sosa left for Europe), and, in the case of artists like Jara, death at the hands of government officials.

In the last decade or so, I've been able to find that passion and thoughtfulness where I least expected it: hip-hop. I say "where I least expected it" because, by the time I came to the U.S. in 2002, English-language rap was fully incorporated into mainstream culture; while I loved the beats I heard on the radio and at clubs, as a newly arrived immigrant with financial struggles and a sense of cultural alienation, I found the themes of wealth, sex and conspicuous consumerism difficult to digest.

Latin American rap seems to echo a lot of my concerns. I was particularly delighted upon discovering French-Chilean MC Ana Tijoux: She, too, is the daughter of political exiles. She also grew up in a world of ambiguities, shadow-boxing the demons of her parents' culture while figuring out the monsters of her own world. Artists like Tijoux fill a unique void: While rock en Español licks its wounds as the curtain closes on its golden era, salsa stagnates and reggaeton becomes a monotonous and nonthreatening Top 40 factory, Latin rappers have created unique new sounds and lyrical content that would make Victor Jara proud.

Today, we're dedicating an entire show to new Latin rap releases, and we've invited DJ Juan Data to join us. Not only is he one of our favorite DJs, but he's also one of the best Latin music bloggers out there. Join us here as we spin new music by hip-hop artists from Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Spain and beyond.